The Dominican Experience
7 nights / 8 days – A signature escorted tour of the Dominican Republic
Discover the diversity of the Dominican Republic on this professionally operated multi-day escorted roundtrip designed for international tour operators, travel agents and organised groups. This carefully balanced itinerary showcases the country's colonial heritage, mountain landscapes, cigar culture, tropical nature and Caribbean coastline.
Operated by Cocotours, a leading Dominican Destination Management Company with more than 30 years of experience, this programme is ideal for groups seeking an authentic and comfortable introduction to the Dominican Republic.
Tour route: Santo Domingo · Jarabacoa · Santiago · Puerto Plata · Samaná Peninsula · Altos de Chavón
Tour highlights
- Santo Domingo: Explore the UNESCO-listed Colonial Zone, the oldest European city in the Americas.
- Jarabacoa: Discover the cool mountain landscapes of the Dominican Alps.
- Santiago: Visit the Monument of the Restoration and a traditional cigar factory.
- Puerto Plata: Ascend Mount Isabel de Torres for spectacular panoramic views.
- Samaná Peninsula: Experience the lush tropical scenery of one of the country's most beautiful regions.
- Los Haitises National Park: Boat excursion through mangroves, caves and limestone islands.
- Cayo Levantado: Relax on a picture-perfect Caribbean island.
- Altos de Chavón & Higüey: Cultural highlights along the southeastern coast.
The amphitheatre at Altos de Chavón
Day-by-day itinerary
Your tour price includes a private transfer from your chosen airport, cruise port or hotel in Punta Cana, La Romana or Santo Domingo to your first night's hotel. Founded in 1496, Santo Domingo is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas. The evening begins with a welcome dinner.
- Private arrival transfer included
- Welcome dinner with set menu
After breakfast, embark on a morning walking tour of the Colonial Zone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover cobbled streets lined with 16th-century Spanish colonial architecture. In the afternoon, head inland towards the mountains. En route, visit Santo Cerro, the hilltop site where Christopher Columbus fought a battle with the Taíno people. Arrive in Jarabacoa and enjoy its fresh mountain air.
After breakfast, continue north through the fertile Cibao Valley to Santiago de los Caballeros, the Dominican Republic's second city and the heart of the country's tobacco industry.
- Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration — the iconic 67-metre monument with sweeping panoramic views.
- La Aurora cigar factory tour — watch master craftsmen hand-rolling premium cigars.
Continue north through sugar cane fields and rural villages until you reach the spectacular Atlantic coast.
This morning, enjoy a half-day guided tour of Puerto Plata, the historic regional capital founded in 1502. Visit Mount Isabel de Torres for spectacular panoramic views, a replica of the Christ the Redeemer statue and botanical gardens. The afternoon is free to explore the town or relax on the beach.
A free day to relax or explore. Optional excursions are available including the Damajagua Waterfalls, where you can hike through tropical forest and conquer natural waterfalls with jumps and slides.
Depart for the Samaná Peninsula, following the rugged and scenic Atlantic coastal road. Arrive in the lively beach town of Las Terrenas, known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and miles of palm-fringed beaches.
A highlight of the tour. Board a boat to explore Los Haitises National Park, a labyrinth of mangroves and limestone islands. Visit caves with Taíno petroglyphs. Later, sail to Cayo Levantado for lunch and a relaxing afternoon on its white sand beaches.
Head south across the country. Visit the Basilica of Higüey and Altos de Chavón, a Mediterranean-style village overlooking the Chavón River. The tour concludes with a transfer to your final hotel or airport.
This programme constitutes our signature escorted tour, although it can be adapted in duration, route and accommodation category according to your group's requirements.
Tour Information
Cocotours operates multi-day escorted tours throughout the Dominican Republic for international tour operators, travel agencies and private groups. Our programmes combine reliable logistics, experienced guides and carefully selected hotels to ensure a smooth and memorable travel experience.
Rates are available on request. Contact our team for a personalised quotation for your group size and travel dates.
What's Included
✓ Included
- 7 nights accommodation in comfortable tourist-class hotels
- Half-board meal plan (7 breakfasts and 7 hot meals)
- Private air-conditioned transport throughout
- Professional tour guide throughout
- All entrance fees per itinerary
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- 1 complimentary single room for the tour leader per 20 paying passengers
✗ Not Included
- Optional excursions and activities
- Personal expenses
- Full-board supplement (if requested)
- Travel insurance
Group Conditions
This escorted tour programme is normally based on a minimum of 10 passengers. Larger groups benefit from better rates and operational efficiencies.
Our team can arrange arrivals and departures from Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Santiago, La Romana or Samaná, making it easy to integrate this programme into broader Caribbean itineraries.
Optional Experiences
The itinerary can be enhanced with additional activities tailored to your group's interests:
- Damajagua Waterfalls adventure
- Buggy excursions on the North Coast
- Whale watching in Samaná (January–March)
- White-water rafting in Jarabacoa
- Rum tastings and cigar heritage tours
- Beach extensions in Punta Cana or Bayahibe
The Columbus Palace in Santo Domingo
Flexible & Customisable
Although this page presents our flagship 7-night Dominican Experience, Cocotours also organises shorter and longer escorted tours across the Dominican Republic. Programmes of 4–5 days, 9–10 days or completely tailor-made itineraries can easily be created according to your group's interests and schedule.
Our experienced DMC team will be happy to design a customised itinerary for your travel agency, tour operator or private group.
Why Cocotours?
- Operating in the DR since 1994
- IATA TIDS registered (No. 96171902)
- Licensed by the Dominican Tourism Ministry
- TripAdvisor Hall of Fame member
